Michael Alfred

Michael “Buddah” Alfred, 45, of Ellsworth, passed at Spectrum Health Center Blodgett Campus in Grand Rapids on October 3, 2021.

Buddah was born on June 15, 1976, in Traverse City, the son of Louise Kirby Alfred and R. Joseph Alfred.

While he was a young man, he learned the core values of family, friends, and teamwork.   He carried these values throughout his adult life and passed them along to his sons, as well as to the many youth with whom he worked.

As a child he was accomplished in handball, a Caribbean playground game which he and his sister Jodee picked up as children while living in St. Thomas, USVI.  He excelled in the sports of baseball, basketball and football during his teen years, thus preparing him to coach the next generation.

He graduated from Ellsworth Community School and then went on to study accounting at Northwestern in Traverse City. He quickly realized that he was not suited for indoor office work. His occupational career was varied and enabled him to master a variety of skills. He spent many years working with “Harry and the Boy” in Central Lake.

Buddah loved sports and coaching the youth.   He followed and coached his boys through Pop Warner football and little league baseball all the way through division 18 & Under-AAU travel basketball.  He was always available to offer constructive advice to all athletes. Mike “Buddah” was a dedicated Mancelona athletics coach for many years. He encouraged the athletes to push their limits and work hard. He was always at the sporting events when his sons played, he was in the stands at basketball games, on the sidelines of the baseball and football fields, or in the parent section supporting all of the Ironmen teams.

You could often find him enjoying the annual Pig Roast and the Beer Fest. When talking to community members, the topic of conversation was his boys, sports and the local teams.   He could also throw a mean horse shoe, for which he earned several trophies.

Surviving are 2 sons, Logan Short and Jayden Alfred both of Mancelona, his mother Louise Alfred of Ellsworth, his father R. Joseph Alfred of Maryland, a brother Jeffrey Alfred of Dominica, West Indies, a sister Jodee Alfred Warner of Maryland, 2 nephews, Marlee Warner of Maryland, Ryan Alfred of Dominica, West Indies, a niece Raquel Alfred of Dominica, West Indies and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by a special friend Dennis “Erwin” Short.

Celebration of life will take place on Monday, October 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. on the Dockside Lawn, 6430 Old Torch Lake Dr., Bellaire, MI 49615. Please bring your own chairs to use outside on the lawn during the homegoing celebration!

Memorial contributions can be given to Louise Alfred, PO BOX 185, Ellsworth, MI 49729, to help care for and further the education of Jayden Alfred.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com